Maintenance worker is passionate about coaching kids

Published: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 11:17 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 11:17 a.m.

On any given evening, you can head east toward Mechanicville, turn off East Street and head further still to the end of Senator Street, and that’s where you’ll find 31-year-old Russell Parker doing what he loves most: coaching.

Right now, it’s football season and Parker’s working to get his 32 players, ages 12 to 13, on the Mechanicville Panther’s varsity team ready to play at the junior-high level.

Parker is part of the volunteer-coach program for the Terrebonne Parish Recreation Department’s football, basketball and baseball youth teams.

The teams are based on players’ ages. The Panthers’ football and baseball teams practice at the Joseph “Kingfish” Thompson Field during the week. They play home games at the East Houma football and baseball fields on the weekends. The basketball teams play at the Mechanicville Gym.

Not only is Parker dedicated to getting these kids prepared for sports, he’s also committed to getting them prepared for life.

“Pretty much my story is, I give it my all for these kids,” Parker said. “This is volunteer work — I don’t get paid for this — I just love helping (and giving) back to these kids what I never had growing up.”

Coaching is a year-round activity or Parker. He said has no time for breaks. He has to keep these kids busy, or he fears they’ll end up down the wrong path.

“There are a lot of ways for kids to get in trouble around here,” Parker said. “So I’ll have kids come over to my house and we’ll throw the football and order pizza, and it helps keep them out of trouble — working on something constructive like sports, education and being around positive role models.”

Parker said he’s been a coach in Mechanicville for 12 years.

Mechanicville is where he grew up and learned to play sports.

The residents of Mechanicville respect the program, he said.

“The community realizes that these kids are a reflection of them as a society. People in the community, they always tell me, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing with those kids — keep ‘em straight.’ ”

Mary Williams, 33, of Mechanicville, said the community appreciates Parker’s devotion.

“These kids,” Williams said, “when they don’t have anything else to do, they’ll find trouble. And Russell, he keeps these kids coming back. He keeps them out of trouble. They look up to him.”

Reginald Williams, 13, played football and basketball for Parker.

“He was like a big brother to me,” Williams said. “I couldn’t shoot or dribble, but (Parker) put in the time to help me learn how to hold the ball.”

He always tells players to focus on school before sports, Williams said.

Parker’s own story growing up, unfortunately, is one that is not unfamiliar to many.

His father left him, his younger sister, Pamela, and his mother, Orelia Parker, when he was 5, Parker said.

He said his grandfather, the Rev. Earl Parker, stepped in and helped his mother raise him and his sister.

“So what I do is try to be a father figure in these kids’ life, because I never had one growing up,” Parker said. “I teach them that even though you don’t have a father, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it.”

In return, Parker said the kids he coaches teach him how to become a better coach and a better person.

When Parker’s sister died last year from heart failure, he said he found strength in his responsibility as a coach.

“The kids showed me so much love,” he said. “They gave me strength, and that’s why I’m able to be out here. These kids told me, ‘Coach, we know we can’t bring your sister back, but we still need you.’ ”

Parker said John Morgan, program coordinator for the Terrebonne Recreational Department, and Parker’s former coach, approached him one day to ask if he wanted to help coach basketball.

He did. And he’s been coaching ever since.

“Russell has been an asset to the program,” Morgan said. “His volunteerism is tremendous.”

Morgan said the recreation department offers youth sports for kids, ages 7-12. There’s also a preparatory varsity program for kids ages 13 to 14.

He said volunteers, like Parker, are a necessity.

“We like to have coaches in the program who are good role models and can lead young kids to become confident older people,” Morgan said. “We know that kids tend to mirror their coaches, and Russell sets an outstanding example.”

Outside of coaching, Parker works for the Terrebonne Parish Recreation District 11 as a maintenance worker. He helps maintain ballparks and playgrounds.

He also helps coach the offensive line at Oaklawn Junior High School and is a youth speaker at the Dularge Community Baptist Church, 549 Andrew St., on Sundays.

Parker said he sees becoming a pastor in his future, and he will always continue his commitments as a coach and a mentor for the youths.

“I just want to end this life on a good note,” Parker said. “I want to be remembered as someone who cared and gave it all. I gave it all when I leave here, and I left it all on the field.”

<p>On any given evening, you can head east toward Mechanicville, turn off East Street and head further still to the end of Senator Street, and that's where you'll find 31-year-old Russell Parker doing what he loves most: coaching. </p><p> Right now, it's football season and Parker's working to get his 32 players, ages 12 to 13, on the Mechanicville Panther's varsity team ready to play at the junior-high level. </p><p>Parker is part of the volunteer-coach program for the Terrebonne Parish Recreation Department's football, basketball and baseball youth teams. </p><p>The teams are based on players' ages. The Panthers' football and baseball teams practice at the Joseph “Kingfish” Thompson Field during the week. They play home games at the East Houma football and baseball fields on the weekends. The basketball teams play at the Mechanicville Gym. </p><p>Not only is Parker dedicated to getting these kids prepared for sports, he's also committed to getting them prepared for life. </p><p>“Pretty much my story is, I give it my all for these kids,” Parker said. “This is volunteer work — I don't get paid for this — I just love helping (and giving) back to these kids what I never had growing up.”</p><p>Coaching is a year-round activity or Parker. He said has no time for breaks. He has to keep these kids busy, or he fears they'll end up down the wrong path. </p><p>“There are a lot of ways for kids to get in trouble around here,” Parker said. “So I'll have kids come over to my house and we'll throw the football and order pizza, and it helps keep them out of trouble — working on something constructive like sports, education and being around positive role models.” </p><p>Parker said he's been a coach in Mechanicville for 12 years. </p><p>Mechanicville is where he grew up and learned to play sports. </p><p> The residents of Mechanicville respect the program, he said.</p><p> “The community realizes that these kids are a reflection of them as a society. People in the community, they always tell me, 'Keep doing what you're doing with those kids — keep 'em straight.' ”</p><p>Mary Williams, 33, of Mechanicville, said the community appreciates Parker's devotion.</p><p>“These kids,” Williams said, “when they don't have anything else to do, they'll find trouble. And Russell, he keeps these kids coming back. He keeps them out of trouble. They look up to him.” </p><p>Reginald Williams, 13, played football and basketball for Parker.</p><p>“He was like a big brother to me,” Williams said. “I couldn't shoot or dribble, but (Parker) put in the time to help me learn how to hold the ball.”</p><p>He always tells players to focus on school before sports, Williams said. </p><p>Parker's own story growing up, unfortunately, is one that is not unfamiliar to many. </p><p> His father left him, his younger sister, Pamela, and his mother, Orelia Parker, when he was 5, Parker said. </p><p>He said his grandfather, the Rev. Earl Parker, stepped in and helped his mother raise him and his sister.</p><p>“So what I do is try to be a father figure in these kids' life, because I never had one growing up,” Parker said. “I teach them that even though you don't have a father, that doesn't mean you can't make it.”</p><p>In return, Parker said the kids he coaches teach him how to become a better coach and a better person. </p><p>When Parker's sister died last year from heart failure, he said he found strength in his responsibility as a coach. </p><p> “The kids showed me so much love,” he said. “They gave me strength, and that's why I'm able to be out here. These kids told me, 'Coach, we know we can't bring your sister back, but we still need you.' ” </p><p>Parker said John Morgan, program coordinator for the Terrebonne Recreational Department, and Parker's former coach, approached him one day to ask if he wanted to help coach basketball. </p><p> He did. And he's been coaching ever since. </p><p>“Russell has been an asset to the program,” Morgan said. “His volunteerism is tremendous.” </p><p>Morgan said the recreation department offers youth sports for kids, ages 7-12. There's also a preparatory varsity program for kids ages 13 to 14.</p><p>He said volunteers, like Parker, are a necessity. </p><p>“We like to have coaches in the program who are good role models and can lead young kids to become confident older people,” Morgan said. “We know that kids tend to mirror their coaches, and Russell sets an outstanding example.”</p><p>Outside of coaching, Parker works for the Terrebonne Parish Recreation District 11 as a maintenance worker. He helps maintain ballparks and playgrounds. </p><p> He also helps coach the offensive line at Oaklawn Junior High School and is a youth speaker at the Dularge Community Baptist Church, 549 Andrew St., on Sundays.</p><p>Parker said he sees becoming a pastor in his future, and he will always continue his commitments as a coach and a mentor for the youths. </p><p>“I just want to end this life on a good note,” Parker said. “I want to be remembered as someone who cared and gave it all. I gave it all when I leave here, and I left it all on the field.”</p>